How are things today? How’s the weekend ahead looking? I
hope you have fun plans! And I hope your weekend’s so far off to a good start!
I’m feeling quite cheerful about mine. Made it to yoga last night and then had
a successful driving lesson this morning. I got out on a run and then baked
some buns for a family do later on… for Saturday lunchtime I feel like I’m
achieving quite a lot.

This is a sharp contrast with last weekend though. I spent
what felt like the entire of last weekend trekking around Sheffield doing house
viewings trying to find somewhere new to live – very stressful! All sorted now
but, when I went into work on Monday, it didn’t really feel like I’d had a
weekend. Do you get that sometimes, readers? When your chores take charge and
you don’t have the time for the things you really wanted to do.

I did find a fun new place to live
but it was TOUGH GOING

Like sleep in. And a cook a proper recipe. Run a bath. Read
your book in peace! These hopes aren’t often top of the To Do list… but they
are important. Very important for the you on the inside. Imagine if the Inside
You was a flower, and this flower either bloomed or wilted based on how you
felt. And other people could see that flower.

I think, if people could see your flower drooping, they’d be
encouraging you to bin the chores and do something to look after yourself. They’d
make you want to really look after that flower, and you’d help each other to
all have wonderfully blooming flowers. And, just because in real life it isn’t
so clear to people around you how you’re feeling, that doesn’t mean that Inside
You is any less important.

If you want to slurp a smoothie
in the garden... doooo it!

What I’m trying to say, readers, is that we should put our
feelings first sometimes.. and probably more often. Stick up for Inside You,
make their wellbeing a priority, and consider the people around you and what
their flowers might look like this weekend. Are they blooming, or do they need a
helping hand? A nudge in the right direction?

All it can take, readers, to boost yourself up, is something
as simple as lighting a candle. Or catching a sunset. A spritz of perfume, or
some mindful breathing. A smile from a stranger, or a burst of sunshine. Those
things are very important. I hope you can make time for them over the weekend,
readers, and I hope you feel good for it.

Here's a wonderful sunset on Thursday
where I live in Heeley, Sheffield

And why not – while we’re embracing a little love for Inside
You – treat yourself to some time well spent baking in the kitchen? C’mon! When
was the last time you had a proper bake?? It doesn’t matter whether there’s any
occasion. If you haven’t eaten cake in the last hour then it’s probably time,
and I’m sure there are friends and family of yours also crying out for cake
right now.

See sense and get your bake on! If you can make the time
this weekend, readers, like I did this morning, then I humbly encourage you to
find your way to the kitchen and bake up a storm. Need a little recipe
inspiration? Then why not follow in my footsteps and give some Berry Banana
Buns a try. Here’s the recipe in just ten simple steps…

1.Let some fresh air in, pour yourself a cool drink
and stick Smooth Radio on for classic tunes to sing-a-long to while you bake. I
insist.

2.Heat your oven to 180C.

3.Line the holes of a muffin tray with 12 paper
cases.

4.Peel your two bananas onto a plate and mash
using a fork.

ChefBeHere Top
Tip: The riper your bananas are then the more banana-y your buns will taste.
Have your housemate’s bananas gone way past their best? Have said bananas been
annoying you, for days, sitting there on the side turning brown? Why not buy
your flatmate a couple of new bananas and trade them for their over-ripe ones? …
then everybody wins!

5.Measure all ingredients (minus the frozen
berries) into a large mixing bowl.

6.Beat together using a wooden spoon until your
mix is maybe a little lumpy, but mostly mixed together.

7.Spoon your mix evenly between the twelve bun
cases, and then pop a few frozen berries on top of each.

8.Safely transport into the oven and leave your
buns to bake for around twenty minutes, until they’re risen, baked through and
golden brown.

ChefBeHere Top Tip: Use this time wisely! While your buns
are baking you could get some laundry in the machine, wash your dishes and have
a wipe round. Or you could top up that drink and work on your tan in the
garden?? Either way, remember to keep checking on your buns in the oven, so they don’t burn.

9.When your buns smell good and look deliciously
baked, then carefully remove from the oven and leave on the side to cool for
half an hour or so.

10.Once
your buns are nicely cooled, remove from the bun tin and either serve up,
gobble them yourself, or Tupperware for later on.

And that’s all there is to it, readers! What do you think? I
know this recipe isn’t anything revelatory, it’s just my old favourite for Banana
Loaf, from ‘Mary Berry’s 100 Cakes and Bakes’, divided into bun cases and with
some berries thrown on top. But, isn’t it lovely? I think so! I like that
little extra fruity taste the berries bring to each bun, and they add a pretty
pink and purple splash of colour.

Aren't they lovely to look at!

What do you think, readers? Would you give this recipe a go?
And, if you have, how did you get on in the kitchen? Did your buns come out
well? Were their compliments to the chef, from adoring friends and family?? I
hope there were! This is a simple recipe, with few ingredients and
easy-to-follow steps (you’re just chucking everything together in a bowl, really!),
to bake a pretty batch of buns for everyone to enjoy over the weekend. What’s
not to like??

I’m hoping my family will like the buns, readers, when I see
them later this afternoon. And I hope there are some left to take along by then!
I’m certainly enjoying the buns, readers, just trying not to eat them all before
they make it out the door. Remember: don’t be too hard on yourself this
weekend. I say, if there’s one thing not to forget, it should be to look after
Inside You. If she wants to eat multiple buns?? Then.. feed her! Quickly!

Take care this weekend, readers, and take the time to enjoy
it.

Bake safely,

Hayley

Also, I gave blood again this week!
if you don't already... go along and save a life